Upper School Spanish Specialist (Grades 9-12

Overview

KHAN LAB SCHOOL

Khan Lab School is an innovative TK-12 independent school with multiple campuses in Silicon Valley, CA. Our Lower School is in Palo Alto and our Middle/Upper Schools are in Mountain View. We are committed to an educational vision outlined by Sal Khan, with a focus on mastery-based learning and preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving knowledge economy.

The Spanish Specialist & World Language Coordinator is an experienced teacher with a mastery-based learning background in an Upper School context. This role partners with the Upper School Director and teaching team to deliver a rigorous, mastery-based curriculum, facilitate active learning aligned with the Khan Lab School vision, and support students’ social and emotional development. The position also involves participating in school activities, admissions, and faculty/staff meetings.

All teachers participate in admissions events and after-school events beyond the regular day that ends at 4:00 PM. The World Language Coordinator duties include designing, reviewing, and revising the scope and sequence of Spanish courses and coordinating with external organizations on other languages.

Academic Duties

• Teach high school–level courses as assigned by the Upper School Director, using existing materials and tools. Return student work within 5 days.
• Outline and document the course curriculum, including syllabus, assignments, and assessments at the beginning of Term 1 using Canvas. Materials should be repurposable by other instructors. Use internal materials and external resources such as Khan Academy where applicable.
• Participate in regular Canvas course reviews.
• Lead advisory sessions for a group of students, focusing on academic progress, extracurricular and college goals, and daily practices in mindfulness, character development, and executive functioning.
• Mentor and support students in individual student-driven projects, including Applied Learning projects, by checking progress and connecting to outside resources.
• Maintain regular communication with students, families, teachers, and professionals about student progress and submit progress reports by term end. Prepare students for student-led parent-teacher conferences.
• Other duties as assigned.

World Language Coordinator

• Develop and drive the Khanversation Hour Program in Spanish and other languages.
• Vet and validate external programs for languages other than Spanish.
• Meet twice per term with students studying languages other than Spanish to check progress and organize transcript submissions.
• Design and revise the scope and sequence for the Spanish program, including sequencing from middle school to upper school Spanish (potentially focusing more on Spanish 1–3 than 3–5).
• Coordinate internal curriculum materials (e.g., textbooks).
• Experiment with technology-driven methods for language practice, including AI tools where appropriate.
• Prepare and present to community stakeholders about the World Language Program (e.g., at Open House events).

Extended Day (Middle School)

• Student Safety & Well-Being:
  Act as the primary adult responsible for maintaining a safe and supportive environment between 4 and 6 PM.
• Student Supervision:
  Circulate regularly to supervise students and keep them engaged in appropriate activities.
• Student Support & Engagement:
  Assist with homework or projects during Goal Time, supporting a productive learning environment.

Teaching & Vision Alignment

• Facilitate classes with emphasis on active learning and real-world contexts, minimizing direct instruction. Use think-pair-share, experiential learning, case studies, peer teaching, and independent studies.
• Use assessment data to inform instruction, provide timely feedback, and complete progress reports by deadlines.
• Outline and document the course curriculum in Canvas at the beginning of Term 1, using internal and external resources such as Khan Academy where applicable.
• Identify, select, and modify instructional resources to meet diverse student needs in collaboration with school leadership.
• Integrate emerging technology, including AI…